Panel approves health nominees Panel approves health nominees ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — A Senate committee has approved all Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s nominees to the Hawaii Health Connector board. The committee decision came in spite of protests from several community groups
Panel approves health nominees
HONOLULU (AP) — A Senate committee has approved all Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s nominees to the Hawaii Health Connector board.
The committee decision came in spite of protests from several community groups that nominees representing major health insurers had a conflict of interest.
The board is tasked with establishing a marketplace where Hawaii’s more than 100,000 uninsured residents can shop for affordable health insurance, as mandated by the national Affordable Health Care Act.
Consumer advocates on Tuesday and Friday held rallies in an attempt to convince lawmakers that no one with a financial stake in the health insurance exchange should have a voting position on the board.
Despite the opposition, the Senate Consumer Protection and Commerce decided Friday to recommend confirmation of all nominees to the full Senate.
Man upset with court system
HONOLULU (AP) — The wife of a man accused of causing a courtroom ruckus that led to being put in a chokehold by a Honolulu judge says he was frustrated with the justice system.
Steven Michael Hauge made an initial court appearance Thursday before a different judge, three days after District Judge Lono Lee restrained him when he jumped on his bench and broke a flagpole.
Hauge’s wife, Elizabeth Ann Taylor, says he was in court Monday for a traffic infraction and was frustrated the hearing had been rescheduled. She says his anger toward the legal system also has to do with his father’s death.
She tells the Honolulu Star-Advertiser she hopes to raise his $1,500 bail soon.
KHON-TV reports he yelled during his court appearance that he’s protesting Hawaii.
Monk seal heads to California lab
HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaiian monk seal removed from the wild because he was attacking fellow monk seals pups is moving to the mainland.
The seal known as KE18 left Hawaii on Thursday for a marine laboratory at the University of California-Santa Cruz.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says scientists will study him to better understand the endangered species and why its population is declining 4 percent per year.
KE18 is expected to move to a marine park or other public facility in Hawaii after about two years.
